diff --git a/.buildkite/commands/build-for-windows.ps1 b/.buildkite/commands/build-for-windows.ps1
index c2918b532f..82eff5b681 100644
--- a/.buildkite/commands/build-for-windows.ps1
+++ b/.buildkite/commands/build-for-windows.ps1
@@ -46,8 +46,6 @@ if ($BuildType -eq $BUILD_TYPE_DEV) {
     $env:IS_DEV_BUILD="true"
 } else {
     Write-Host "Preparing release build..."
-    node ./scripts/confirm-tag-matches-version.mjs
-	If ($LastExitCode -ne 0) { Exit $LastExitCode }
 }
 
 # Set architecture environment variable for AppX packaging
diff --git a/.buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh b/.buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..b15c5902e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#!/bin/bash -eu
+
+# Script to checkout a specific release branch.
+# Usage: ./checkout-release-branch.sh <RELEASE_VERSION>
+#
+# Buildkite, by default, checks out a specific commit, ending up in a detached HEAD state.
+# But in some cases, we need to ensure to be checked out on the `release/*` branch instead, namely:
+# - When a `release-pipelines/*.yml` will end up needing to do a `git push` to the `release/*` branch (for version bumps)
+# - When doing a new build from a job that was `pipeline upload`'d by such a pipeline,
+#   to ensure that the job doing the build would include that recent extra commit before starting the build.
+
+echo "--- :git: Checkout Release Branch"
+
+if [[ -n "${1:-}" ]]; then
+  RELEASE_VERSION="$1"
+elif [[ "${BUILDKITE_BRANCH:-}" =~ ^release/ ]]; then
+  RELEASE_VERSION="${BUILDKITE_BRANCH#release/}"
+else
+  echo "Error: RELEASE_VERSION parameter missing and BUILDKITE_BRANCH is not a release branch"
+  exit 1
+fi
+BRANCH_NAME="release/${RELEASE_VERSION}"
+
+git fetch origin "$BRANCH_NAME"
+git checkout -B "$BRANCH_NAME" "origin/$BRANCH_NAME"
diff --git a/.buildkite/pipeline.yml b/.buildkite/pipeline.yml
index e0d75e03aa..117aa79c09 100644
--- a/.buildkite/pipeline.yml
+++ b/.buildkite/pipeline.yml
@@ -181,98 +181,3 @@ steps:
     notify:
       - github_commit_status:
           context: Distribute Dev Builds
-
-  - group: 📦 Build for Mac
-    key: release-mac
-    steps:
-      - label: 🔨 Mac Release Build - {{matrix}}
-        agents:
-          queue: mac
-        command: |
-          .buildkite/commands/prepare-environment.sh
-
-          .buildkite/commands/install-node-dependencies.sh
-          node ./scripts/confirm-tag-matches-version.mjs
-
-          echo "--- :node: Building Binary"
-          npm run make:macos-{{matrix}}
-
-          # Local trial and error show this needs to run before the DMG generation (obviously) but after the binary has been built
-          echo "--- :hammer: Rebuild fs-attr if necessary before generating DMG"
-          case {{matrix}} in
-            x64)
-              echo "Rebuilding fs-xattr for {{matrix}} architecture"
-              npm rebuild fs-xattr --cpu universal
-              ;;
-            arm64)
-              echo "No need to rebuild fs-xattr because it works out of the box on Apple Silicon"
-              ;;
-            *)
-              echo "^^^ +++ Unexpected architecture {{matrix}}"
-              exit 1
-              ;;
-          esac
-
-          echo "--- :node: Packaging in DMG"
-          npm run make:dmg-{{matrix}}
-
-          echo "--- 📃 Notarizing Binary"
-          bundle exec fastlane notarize_binary
-        plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
-        artifact_paths:
-          - apps/studio/out/**/*.app.zip
-          - apps/studio/out/*.dmg
-        matrix:
-          - x64
-          - arm64
-        notify:
-          - github_commit_status:
-              context: All Mac Release Builds
-    if: build.tag =~ /^v[0-9]+/
-
-  - group: 📦 Build for Windows
-    key: release-windows
-    steps:
-      - label: 🔨 Windows Release Build - {{matrix}}
-        agents:
-          queue: windows
-        command: powershell -File .buildkite/commands/build-for-windows.ps1 -BuildType release -Architecture {{matrix}}
-        artifact_paths:
-          - apps\studio\out\**\studio-setup.exe
-          - apps\studio\out\**\studio-update.nupkg
-          - apps\studio\out\**\RELEASES
-          - apps\studio\out\**\*.appx
-        plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
-        matrix:
-          - x64
-          - arm64
-        notify:
-          - github_commit_status:
-              context: All Windows Release Builds
-    if: build.tag =~ /^v[0-9]+/
-
-  - label: ":rocket: Publish Release Builds"
-    command: |
-      echo "--- :node: Downloading Binaries"
-      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.zip" .
-      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.dmg" .
-      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.exe" .
-      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.appx" .
-      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.nupkg" .
-      buildkite-agent artifact download "*\\RELEASES" .
-
-      .buildkite/commands/install-node-dependencies.sh
-
-      echo "--- :fastlane: Distributing Release Builds"
-      install_gems
-      bundle exec fastlane distribute_release_build
-    agents:
-      queue: mac
-    depends_on:
-      - step: release-mac
-      - step: release-windows
-    plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
-    if: build.tag =~ /^v[0-9]+/
-    notify:
-      - github_commit_status:
-          context: Publish Release Builds
diff --git a/.buildkite/release-build-and-distribute.yml b/.buildkite/release-build-and-distribute.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f6fb6fde30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.buildkite/release-build-and-distribute.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/buildkite/pipeline-schema/main/schema.json
+#
+# Release build and distribution pipeline.
+#
+# Triggered as a separate Buildkite build by the fastlane lanes (code_freeze, new_beta_release,
+# finalize_release) via `buildkite_add_trigger_step` / `buildkite_trigger_build`.
+#
+# Expects `RELEASE_VERSION` env var to be set (e.g., '1.7.4').
+# Each step checks out the release branch to ensure it builds the latest commit.
+---
+
+# Used by mac agents only
+env:
+  IMAGE_ID: $IMAGE_ID
+
+steps:
+  - group: 📦 Build for Mac
+    key: release-mac
+    steps:
+      - label: 🔨 Mac Release Build - {{matrix}}
+        agents:
+          queue: mac
+        command: |
+          .buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh "${RELEASE_VERSION}"
+
+          .buildkite/commands/prepare-environment.sh
+
+          .buildkite/commands/install-node-dependencies.sh
+
+          echo "--- :node: Building Binary"
+          npm run make:macos-{{matrix}}
+
+          # Local trial and error show this needs to run before the DMG generation (obviously) but after the binary has been built
+          echo "--- :hammer: Rebuild fs-attr if necessary before generating DMG"
+          case {{matrix}} in
+            x64)
+              echo "Rebuilding fs-xattr for {{matrix}} architecture"
+              npm rebuild fs-xattr --cpu universal
+              ;;
+            arm64)
+              echo "No need to rebuild fs-xattr because it works out of the box on Apple Silicon"
+              ;;
+            *)
+              echo "^^^ +++ Unexpected architecture {{matrix}}"
+              exit 1
+              ;;
+          esac
+
+          echo "--- :node: Packaging in DMG"
+          npm run make:dmg-{{matrix}}
+
+          echo "--- 📃 Notarizing Binary"
+          bundle exec fastlane notarize_binary
+        plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
+        artifact_paths:
+          - apps/studio/out/**/*.app.zip
+          - apps/studio/out/*.dmg
+        matrix:
+          - x64
+          - arm64
+        notify:
+          - github_commit_status:
+              context: All Mac Release Builds
+
+  - group: 📦 Build for Windows
+    key: release-windows
+    steps:
+      - label: 🔨 Windows Release Build - {{matrix}}
+        agents:
+          queue: windows
+        command: |
+          bash .buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh "${RELEASE_VERSION}"
+          powershell -File .buildkite/commands/build-for-windows.ps1 -BuildType release -Architecture {{matrix}}
+        artifact_paths:
+          - apps\studio\out\**\studio-setup.exe
+          - apps\studio\out\**\studio-update.nupkg
+          - apps\studio\out\**\RELEASES
+          - apps\studio\out\**\*.appx
+        plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
+        matrix:
+          - x64
+          - arm64
+        notify:
+          - github_commit_status:
+              context: All Windows Release Builds
+
+  - label: ":rocket: Publish Release Builds"
+    command: |
+      echo "--- :robot_face: Use bot for Git operations"
+      source use-bot-for-git
+
+      .buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh "${RELEASE_VERSION}"
+
+      echo "--- :node: Downloading Binaries"
+      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.zip" .
+      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.dmg" .
+      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.exe" .
+      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.appx" .
+      buildkite-agent artifact download "*.nupkg" .
+      buildkite-agent artifact download "*\\RELEASES" .
+
+      .buildkite/commands/install-node-dependencies.sh
+
+      echo "--- :fastlane: Distributing Release Builds"
+      install_gems
+      bundle exec fastlane distribute_release_build
+    agents:
+      queue: mac
+    depends_on:
+      - step: release-mac
+      - step: release-windows
+    plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
+    notify:
+      - github_commit_status:
+          context: Publish Release Builds
diff --git a/.buildkite/release-pipelines/code-freeze.yml b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/code-freeze.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..78ce67dd58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/code-freeze.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/buildkite/pipeline-schema/main/schema.json
+---
+
+env:
+  IMAGE_ID: $IMAGE_ID
+
+steps:
+  - label: ":snowflake: Code Freeze"
+    plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
+    command: |
+      echo "--- :robot_face: Use bot for Git operations"
+      source use-bot-for-git
+
+      echo "--- :npm: Install Node dependencies"
+      .buildkite/commands/install-node-dependencies.sh
+
+      echo "--- :ruby: Setup Ruby Tools"
+      install_gems
+
+      echo "--- :snowflake: Execute Code Freeze"
+      bundle exec fastlane code_freeze version:"${RELEASE_VERSION}" github_username:"${GITHUB_USERNAME}" skip_confirm:true
+    artifact_paths:
+      - i18n/bundle-strings.pot
+    agents:
+      queue: mac
+    retry:
+      manual:
+        reason: If release jobs fail, you should always re-trigger the task from Releases V2 rather than retrying the individual job from Buildkite
+        allowed: false
diff --git a/.buildkite/release-pipelines/download-translations.yml b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/download-translations.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ba3cbc31e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/download-translations.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/buildkite/pipeline-schema/main/schema.json
+---
+
+env:
+  IMAGE_ID: $IMAGE_ID
+
+steps:
+  - label: ":earth_asia: Download Translations"
+    plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
+    command: |
+      echo "--- :robot_face: Use bot for Git operations"
+      source use-bot-for-git
+
+      .buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh "${RELEASE_VERSION}"
+
+      echo "--- :ruby: Setup Ruby Tools"
+      install_gems
+
+      echo "--- :earth_asia: Download Translations"
+      bundle exec fastlane download_translations github_username:"${GITHUB_USERNAME}" skip_confirm:true
+    agents:
+      queue: mac
+    retry:
+      manual:
+        reason: If release jobs fail, you should always re-trigger the task from Releases V2 rather than retrying the individual job from Buildkite
+        allowed: false
diff --git a/.buildkite/release-pipelines/finalize-release.yml b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/finalize-release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bc1df915c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/finalize-release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/buildkite/pipeline-schema/main/schema.json
+---
+
+env:
+  IMAGE_ID: $IMAGE_ID
+
+steps:
+  - label: ":checkered_flag: Finalize Release"
+    plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
+    command: |
+      echo "--- :robot_face: Use bot for Git operations"
+      source use-bot-for-git
+
+      .buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh "${RELEASE_VERSION}"
+
+      echo "--- :ruby: Setup Ruby Tools"
+      install_gems
+
+      echo "--- :checkered_flag: Finalize Release"
+      bundle exec fastlane finalize_release version:"${RELEASE_VERSION}" skip_confirm:true
+    agents:
+      queue: mac
+    retry:
+      manual:
+        reason: If release jobs fail, you should always re-trigger the task from Releases V2 rather than retrying the individual job from Buildkite
+        allowed: false
diff --git a/.buildkite/release-pipelines/new-beta-release.yml b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/new-beta-release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e2043880ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/new-beta-release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/buildkite/pipeline-schema/main/schema.json
+---
+
+env:
+  IMAGE_ID: $IMAGE_ID
+
+steps:
+  - label: ":package: New Beta Release"
+    plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
+    command: |
+      echo "--- :robot_face: Use bot for Git operations"
+      source use-bot-for-git
+
+      .buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh "${RELEASE_VERSION}"
+
+      echo "--- :ruby: Setup Ruby Tools"
+      install_gems
+
+      echo "--- :package: Create New Beta"
+      bundle exec fastlane new_beta_release version:"${RELEASE_VERSION}" skip_confirm:true
+    agents:
+      queue: mac
+    retry:
+      manual:
+        reason: If release jobs fail, you should always re-trigger the task from Releases V2 rather than retrying the individual job from Buildkite
+        allowed: false
diff --git a/.buildkite/release-pipelines/new-hotfix-release.yml b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/new-hotfix-release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0eca77b136
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/new-hotfix-release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/buildkite/pipeline-schema/main/schema.json
+---
+
+env:
+  IMAGE_ID: $IMAGE_ID
+
+steps:
+  - label: ":fire: New Hotfix Release"
+    plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
+    command: |
+      echo "--- :robot_face: Use bot for Git operations"
+      source use-bot-for-git
+
+      echo "--- :ruby: Setup Ruby Tools"
+      install_gems
+
+      echo "--- :fire: Create New Hotfix"
+      bundle exec fastlane new_hotfix_release version:"${RELEASE_VERSION}" skip_confirm:true
+    agents:
+      queue: mac
+    retry:
+      manual:
+        reason: If release jobs fail, you should always re-trigger the task from Releases V2 rather than retrying the individual job from Buildkite
+        allowed: false
diff --git a/.buildkite/release-pipelines/publish-release.yml b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/publish-release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cd6c18e61e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.buildkite/release-pipelines/publish-release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/buildkite/pipeline-schema/main/schema.json
+---
+
+env:
+  IMAGE_ID: $IMAGE_ID
+
+steps:
+  - label: ":shipit: Publish Release"
+    plugins: [$CI_TOOLKIT_PLUGIN, $NVM_PLUGIN]
+    command: |
+      echo "--- :robot_face: Use bot for Git operations"
+      source use-bot-for-git
+
+      .buildkite/commands/checkout-release-branch.sh "${RELEASE_VERSION}"
+
+      echo "--- :ruby: Setup Ruby Tools"
+      install_gems
+
+      echo "--- :shipit: Publish Release"
+      bundle exec fastlane publish_release version:"${RELEASE_VERSION}" github_username:"${GITHUB_USERNAME}" skip_confirm:true
+    agents:
+      queue: mac
+    retry:
+      manual:
+        reason: If release jobs fail, you should always re-trigger the task from Releases V2 rather than retrying the individual job from Buildkite
+        allowed: false
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 410796ef76..43d9f0b44f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ wp-files/
 vendor/*
 /fastlane/report.xml
 /fastlane/README.md
+/fastlane/github_release_notes.txt
 
 # CLI npm artifacts
 cli/vendor/
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index b2647b5518..df46f130ce 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ For in-depth information, see these docs:
 - **CLI Design**: `docs/design-docs/cli.md` - CLI architecture, installation, IPC communication, data flow
 - **Custom Domains/SSL**: `docs/design-docs/custom-domains-and-ssl.md` - Proxy server, certificates, hosts file
 - **Localization**: `docs/localization.md` - GlotPress workflow, translation process
-- **Release Process**: `docs/release-process.md` - Version tagging, Buildkite builds
+- **Release Process**: `docs/release-process.md` - ReleasesV2 + Fastlane lifecycle, running lanes locally
 - **Overview**: `README.md` - Features, download links, contribution guidelines
 
 ## Quick Reference
diff --git a/Gemfile b/Gemfile
index 41fbc12b0d..bf8b0f62b4 100644
--- a/Gemfile
+++ b/Gemfile
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 source 'https://rubygems.org'
 
 gem 'fastlane', '~> 2.232'
-gem 'fastlane-plugin-wpmreleasetoolkit', '~> 13.7'
+gem 'fastlane-plugin-wpmreleasetoolkit', '~> 14.1'
 
 gem 'aws-sdk-cloudfront', '~> 1.87'
 
diff --git a/Gemfile.lock b/Gemfile.lock
index db0a46d515..ce5055fd4c 100644
--- a/Gemfile.lock
+++ b/Gemfile.lock
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ GEM
     ast (2.4.3)
     atomos (0.1.3)
     aws-eventstream (1.4.0)
-    aws-partitions (1.1213.0)
+    aws-partitions (1.1218.0)
     aws-sdk-cloudfront (1.141.0)
       aws-sdk-core (~> 3, >= 3.241.4)
       aws-sigv4 (~> 1.5)
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ GEM
       bigdecimal
       jmespath (~> 1, >= 1.6.1)
       logger
-    aws-sdk-kms (1.121.0)
+    aws-sdk-kms (1.122.0)
       aws-sdk-core (~> 3, >= 3.241.4)
       aws-sigv4 (~> 1.5)
     aws-sdk-s3 (1.213.0)
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ GEM
     dotenv (2.8.1)
     drb (2.2.3)
     emoji_regex (3.2.3)
+    erubi (1.13.1)
     excon (0.112.0)
     faraday (1.10.5)
       faraday-em_http (~> 1.0)
@@ -96,7 +97,7 @@ GEM
     faraday_middleware (1.2.1)
       faraday (~> 1.0)
     fastimage (2.4.0)
-    fastlane (2.232.0)
+    fastlane (2.232.1)
       CFPropertyList (>= 2.3, < 4.0.0)
       abbrev (~> 0.1.2)
       addressable (>= 2.8, < 3.0.0)
@@ -146,12 +147,13 @@ GEM
       xcodeproj (>= 1.13.0, < 2.0.0)
       xcpretty (~> 0.4.1)
       xcpretty-travis-formatter (>= 0.0.3, < 2.0.0)
-    fastlane-plugin-wpmreleasetoolkit (13.8.1)
+    fastlane-plugin-wpmreleasetoolkit (14.1.0)
       activesupport (>= 6.1.7.1)
       buildkit (~> 1.5)
       chroma (= 0.2.0)
       diffy (~> 3.3)
-      fastlane (~> 2.213)
+      fastlane (~> 2.231)
+      gettext (~> 3.5)
       git (~> 1.3)
       google-cloud-storage (~> 1.31)
       java-properties (~> 0.3.0)
@@ -165,11 +167,18 @@ GEM
       xcodeproj (~> 1.22)
     fastlane-sirp (1.0.0)
       sysrandom (~> 1.0)
+    forwardable (1.4.0)
+    gettext (3.5.1)
+      erubi
+      locale (>= 2.0.5)
+      prime
+      racc
+      text (>= 1.3.0)
     gh_inspector (1.1.3)
     git (1.19.1)
       addressable (~> 2.8)
       rchardet (~> 1.8)
-    google-apis-androidpublisher_v3 (0.95.0)
+    google-apis-androidpublisher_v3 (0.96.0)
       google-apis-core (>= 0.15.0, < 2.a)
     google-apis-core (0.18.0)
       addressable (~> 2.5, >= 2.5.1)
@@ -183,7 +192,7 @@ GEM
       google-apis-core (>= 0.15.0, < 2.a)
     google-apis-playcustomapp_v1 (0.17.0)
       google-apis-core (>= 0.15.0, < 2.a)
-    google-apis-storage_v1 (0.59.0)
+    google-apis-storage_v1 (0.61.0)
       google-apis-core (>= 0.15.0, < 2.a)
     google-cloud-core (1.8.0)
       google-cloud-env (>= 1.0, < 3.a)
@@ -221,10 +230,12 @@ GEM
       base64
     language_server-protocol (3.17.0.5)
     lint_roller (1.1.0)
+    locale (2.1.4)
     logger (1.7.0)
     mini_magick (4.13.2)
     mini_mime (1.1.5)
-    minitest (6.0.1)
+    minitest (6.0.2)
+      drb (~> 2.0)
       prism (~> 1.5)
     multi_json (1.19.1)
     multipart-post (2.4.1)
@@ -261,6 +272,9 @@ GEM
       ast (~> 2.4.1)
       racc
     plist (3.7.2)
+    prime (0.1.4)
+      forwardable
+      singleton
     prism (1.9.0)
     progress_bar (1.3.4)
       highline (>= 1.6)
@@ -277,7 +291,7 @@ GEM
       declarative (< 0.1.0)
       trailblazer-option (>= 0.1.1, < 0.2.0)
       uber (< 0.2.0)
-    retriable (3.1.2)
+    retriable (3.2.1)
     rexml (3.4.4)
     rouge (3.28.0)
     rubocop (1.84.1)
@@ -310,10 +324,12 @@ GEM
     simctl (1.6.10)
       CFPropertyList
       naturally
+    singleton (0.3.0)
     sysrandom (1.0.5)
     terminal-notifier (2.0.0)
     terminal-table (3.0.2)
       unicode-display_width (>= 1.1.1, < 3)
+    text (1.3.1)
     trailblazer-option (0.1.2)
     tty-cursor (0.7.1)
     tty-screen (0.8.2)
@@ -350,7 +366,7 @@ PLATFORMS
 DEPENDENCIES
   aws-sdk-cloudfront (~> 1.87)
   fastlane (~> 2.232)
-  fastlane-plugin-wpmreleasetoolkit (~> 13.7)
+  fastlane-plugin-wpmreleasetoolkit (~> 14.1)
   openssl
   rubocop (~> 1.42)
 
diff --git a/docs/localization.md b/docs/localization.md
index 0eaef6a14a..bf46ce4425 100644
--- a/docs/localization.md
+++ b/docs/localization.md
@@ -1,50 +1,36 @@
 # Localization
 
-Text is translated using [GlotPress](https://translate.wordpress.com) but the
-process of getting original strings into GlotPress and the translations back
-into the app is somewhat manual at the moment.
+Text is translated using [GlotPress](https://translate.wordpress.com/projects/studio/).
+The process of getting original strings into GlotPress and the translations back
+into the app is fully automated as part of the release process.
 
 ## Supported Languages
 
-We currently support the magnificent 16 languages defined in `common/lib/locale.ts`, 
-as well as Polish, Vietnamese and Ukrainian.
+We currently support the magnificent 16 languages defined in `common/lib/locale.ts`,
+as well as Polish, Vietnamese, Ukrainian and Hungarian.
 If you want to add support for another language you will need to add it to the
-`supportedLocales` array.
+`supportedLocales` array and add a corresponding `studio-<locale>.jed.json` file
+in `tools/common/translations/`.
 
 ## Translation Process
 
-### Extract and Import
+### Extract and Import (automated)
 
-#### Step 1: Extract Strings:
+1. During **code freeze**, the `code_freeze` Fastlane lane extracts all translatable strings
+   and commits the resulting `i18n/bundle-strings.pot` file to the release branch.
+2. A **wpcom cron job** (`import-github-originals.php`) periodically fetches the `.pot` file
+   from trunk (via the backmerge PR) and imports it into [GlotPress](https://translate.wordpress.com/projects/studio/).
 
-   1. Run `npm run make-pot` to get the text out of the source files.
+No manual steps are needed for string extraction or import.
 
-   This will remove the `out/pots/` directory and create a `*.pot` file for each module, as well as a bundle
-   of all translatable strings in `out/pots/bundle-strings.pot`.
-   It will also open the import page in your browser and select the `bundle-strings.pot` file.
+### Export and Add (automated)
 
-#### Step 2: Import to GlotPress:
-
-   1. Drag and drop the `out/pots/bundle-strings.pot` to the file input in the GlotPress Studio page https://translate.wordpress.com/projects/studio/import-originals/
-   2. Leave the format as "_Auto Detect_".
-   3. Click **Import** and wait for the import to complete.
-
-### Export and Add
-
-#### Step 1: Export from GlotPress:
-
-We will export the translations as Jed-formatted JSON, which is a format
-`@wordpress/i18n` can understand. It's ok if some translations are missing,
+During **pre-release**, the `download_translations` Fastlane lane downloads translations
+from GlotPress in Jed 1.x JSON format (which `@wordpress/i18n` understands) and creates
+a PR to merge them into the release branch. It's ok if some translations are missing —
 they will be left as English in the app.
 
-   1. Open [our project in GlotPress](https://translate.wordpress.com/projects/studio/).
-   2. Click the **Project actions** menu.
-   3. Click **Bulk Export**.
-   4. Click **Select WP.Com Priority Languages** to only the magnificent 16 languages.
-   5. Select **Polish**, **Vietnamese**, **Ukrainian** and **Hungarian** too.
-   6. Change the format to `Jed 1.x (.json)`.
-   7. Leave the other fields as default and click **Export**.
-
-#### Step 2: Add Translations to Project:
-   1. Unzip the exported strings and add them to the `common/translations`. Overwrite
-   the files in there with your new files.
+The lane discovers locales from the existing `studio-*.jed.json` files in
+`tools/common/translations/` and downloads each one from GlotPress.
+
+No manual steps are needed for translation export.
diff --git a/docs/release-process.md b/docs/release-process.md
index 4975b4e082..841326306a 100644
--- a/docs/release-process.md
+++ b/docs/release-process.md
@@ -1,19 +1,82 @@
 # Release Process
 
-Release builds are built, signed, notarized, and uploaded to the CDN by [Buildkite](https://buildkite.com/automattic/studio).
-Once the release is on the CDN the auto-update process will start downloading the new version.
+Releases are managed through [ReleasesV2](https://releases.a8c.com/) and automated via Fastlane + Buildkite. Each step below has a corresponding button in the ReleasesV2 UI that triggers a Buildkite pipeline, which runs the appropriate Fastlane lane.
 
-## Creating a Release
+Builds are signed, notarized (macOS), and uploaded to the Apps CDN automatically. Once on the CDN, auto-update delivers the new version to users.
 
-These instructions are for creating version 0.1.0-alpha5, but the steps are the same for releases with no pre-release tag.
+## Release Lifecycle
 
-1. Create a PR which updates the `version` field in `package.json` to `'0.1.0-alpha5'`.
-   - Remember to run `npm install` so the version in `package-lock.json` gets updated too.
-2. Merge this PR.
-3. Make a note of the commit hash of the PR which was just merged into `trunk`, e.g. `a1c70f3a3be5d28922a48f7f298f6152d6001516`
-4. Tag this commit with `v0.1.0-alpha5`:
-   1. On your local machine get the latest code: `git checkout trunk && git pull`
-   2. Create the tag: `git tag v0.1.0-alpha5 a1c70f3a3be5d28922a48f7f298f6152d6001516`
-   3. Push the tag to the GitHub repo: `git push origin v0.1.0-alpha5`
+### 1. Code Freeze
 
-Pushing the tag will automatically start the build and release process, and is complete when the build finishes cleanly.
+**ReleasesV2 milestone**: Code Freeze | **Fastlane lane**: `code_freeze`
+
+- Creates `release/<version>` branch from `trunk`
+- Extracts translatable strings and commits them to the release branch (a wpcom cron imports them to GlotPress via a backmerge PR)
+- Generates draft release notes from merged PRs and commits them to the release branch
+- Creates a backmerge PR from the release branch into `trunk`
+- Bumps version to `<version>-beta1` and triggers a build (the build tags and uploads to CDN)
+
+### 2. Beta Releases
+
+**ReleasesV2 milestone**: Beta Release | **Fastlane lane**: `new_beta_release`
+
+- Increments the beta number (e.g. beta1 → beta2)
+- Triggers a build (the build tags the new version and uploads to CDN)
+- Repeat as needed for additional betas
+
+### 3. Pre-Release
+
+**ReleasesV2 milestone**: Pre-Release
+
+- **Download translations**: Button triggers `download_translations` lane, which fetches translations from GlotPress and commits them to the release branch
+- **Release notes**: Review and refine the draft release notes in `RELEASE-NOTES.txt` on the `release/<version>` branch (a draft is auto-generated during code freeze)
+- **Smoke tests**: Verify betas on macOS and Windows
+
+### 4. Finalize Release
+
+**ReleasesV2 milestone**: Release | **Fastlane lane**: `finalize_release`
+
+- Removes beta suffix (sets version to `<version>`)
+- Triggers the final release build, which uploads to the Apps CDN, creates a **draft** GitHub release with notes and download links, and notifies Slack
+
+### 5. Publish Release
+
+**Fastlane lane**: `publish_release`
+
+- Publishes the draft GitHub release (which creates the corresponding GitHub tag too)
+- Creates a backmerge PR from `release/<version>` into `trunk`
+
+### 6. Post-Release (manual)
+
+- Publish Windows build to the Microsoft Store
+- Update Slack channel bookmark
+- Notify team for changelog update
+- Notify next Release Wrangler
+
+## Hotfix Releases
+
+**Fastlane lane**: `new_hotfix_release`
+
+- Creates a `release/<version>` branch from the latest release tag (or existing release branch)
+- Bumps the version number
+- After committing fixes, use `finalize_release` and `publish_release` as normal
+
+## Running Lanes Locally
+
+Lanes can be run locally for testing (requires Ruby + Bundler + GITHUB_TOKEN + BUILDKITE_TOKEN):
+
+```sh
+
+# Running these lanes locally will always print a description of what the lane will do with a confirmation prompt
+bundle exec fastlane code_freeze version:"1.8.0"
+bundle exec fastlane new_beta_release version:"1.8.0"
+bundle exec fastlane finalize_release version:"1.8.0"
+bundle exec fastlane publish_release version:"1.8.0"
+```
+
+## Reference
+
+- [Buildkite pipelines](https://buildkite.com/automattic/studio)
+- [ReleasesV2 scenarios](https://releases.a8c.com/)
+- [Fastfile](../fastlane/Fastfile) — all lane implementations
+- [Localization](localization.md) — string extraction and translation workflow
diff --git a/fastlane/Fastfile b/fastlane/Fastfile
index 05796bf74e..edb4075c8f 100644
--- a/fastlane/Fastfile
+++ b/fastlane/Fastfile
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ fastlane_require 'digest'
 fastlane_require 'zip'
 fastlane_require 'aws-sdk-cloudfront'
 fastlane_require 'json'
+fastlane_require 'net/http'
+fastlane_require 'uri'
 
 UI.user_error!('Please run fastlane via `bundle exec`') unless FastlaneCore::Helper.bundler?
 
@@ -18,11 +20,18 @@ BUILDS_FOLDER = File.join(PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER, 'apps', 'studio', 'out')
 DRY_RUN = ENV['DRY_RUN'] == 'true'
 
 # Make sure the WPCOM API token is set
-UI.user_error!("Environment variable WPCOM_API_TOKEN is not set") if ENV['WPCOM_API_TOKEN'].nil? && !DRY_RUN
+UI.user_error!('Environment variable WPCOM_API_TOKEN is not set') if ENV['WPCOM_API_TOKEN'].nil? && !DRY_RUN
 UI.message("Running in #{DRY_RUN ? 'DRY RUN' : 'NORMAL'} mode")
 
-# Read version from package.json
-PACKAGE_VERSION = JSON.parse(File.read(File.join(PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER, 'package.json')))['version']
+# Path to the Studio app's package.json (monorepo workspace)
+PACKAGE_JSON_PATH = File.join(PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER, 'apps', 'studio', 'package.json')
+
+# Path to the translatable strings file (committed to the repo for GlotPress import)
+POT_FILE_PATH = File.join(PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER, 'i18n', 'bundle-strings.pot')
+
+# GlotPress project URL and output directory for Studio UI translations (Jed 1.x JSON)
+GLOTPRESS_PROJECT_URL = 'https://translate.wordpress.com/projects/studio'
+TRANSLATIONS_DIR = File.join(PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER, 'tools', 'common', 'translations')
 
 APPLE_TEAM_ID = 'PZYM8XX95Q'
 APPLE_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = 'com.automattic.studio'
@@ -31,6 +40,11 @@ APPLE_API_KEY_PATH = File.join(SECRETS_FOLDER, 'app_store_connect_fastlane_api_k
 # Site ID for WordPress.com Studio in the Apps CDN
 WPCOM_STUDIO_SITE_ID = '239164481'
 
+GITHUB_REPO = 'Automattic/studio'
+MAIN_BRANCH = 'trunk'
+BUILDKITE_ORG = 'automattic'
+BUILDKITE_PIPELINE = 'studio'
+
 # Use this instead of getting values from ENV directly
 # It will throw an error if the requested value is missing
 def get_required_env(key)
@@ -81,9 +95,12 @@ lane :distribute_dev_build do |_options|
   distribute_builds
 end
 
-desc 'Ship release build'
-lane :distribute_release_build do |_options|
-  release_tag = get_required_env('BUILDKITE_TAG')
+# Upload release builds to the Apps CDN and notify Slack.
+#
+# @param version [String] The release version (e.g., '1.7.4' or '1.7.4-beta1')
+#
+lane :distribute_release_build do |version: read_package_json_version|
+  release_tag = "v#{version}"
   builds = distribute_builds(release_tag:)
 
   if DRY_RUN
@@ -92,6 +109,15 @@ lane :distribute_release_build do |_options|
     next
   end
 
+  # Create the tag or draft GitHub release only after the build succeeds.
+  # This avoids orphan tags or draft releases if the build fails.
+  if version.include?('beta')
+    add_git_tag(tag: release_tag)
+    push_git_tags(tag: release_tag)
+  else
+    create_draft_github_release(version: version, release_tag: release_tag, builds: builds)
+  end
+
   slack(
     username: 'CI Bot',
     icon_url: 'https://octodex.github.com/images/jenktocat.jpg',
@@ -106,19 +132,329 @@ lane :distribute_release_build do |_options|
   )
 end
 
+########################################################################
+# Release Management Lanes
+########################################################################
+
+# Create a new release branch from trunk and the first beta.
+#
+# - Extracts translatable strings and commits them to the release branch (for GlotPress import)
+# - Creates a `release/<version>` branch from trunk
+# - Delegates to {new_beta_release} to bump to beta1, commit, push, tag, and trigger a build
+#
+# @param version [String] The version to freeze (e.g., '1.7.4')
+# @param skip_confirm [Boolean] Skip interactive confirmation prompts (default: false)
+#
+lane :code_freeze do |version:, skip_confirm: false, github_username: nil|
+  branch_name = "release/#{version}"
+
+  UI.important <<~PROMPT
+    Freezing code for release #{version}. This will:
+    - Create a new `#{branch_name}` branch from `#{MAIN_BRANCH}`
+    - Extract translatable strings and commit to `#{branch_name}`
+    - Generate draft release notes from merged PRs
+    - Create a backmerge PR from `#{branch_name}` to `#{MAIN_BRANCH}`
+    - Trigger the first beta build for all platforms (macOS, Windows), which will then:
+      - Upload build artifacts to the Apps CDN
+      - Notify #dotcom-studio on Slack
+  PROMPT
+  next unless skip_confirm || UI.confirm('Continue?')
+
+  Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.checkout_and_pull(MAIN_BRANCH)
+
+  # Create release branch from MAIN_BRANCH
+  Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.create_branch(branch_name)
+
+  # Fastlane sh() runs from the fastlane/ directory, so use absolute paths for shell commands
+  pot_dir = File.join(PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER, 'out', 'pots')
+
+  sh('rm', '-rf', pot_dir)
+  sh('mkdir', '-p', File.dirname(POT_FILE_PATH))
+  sh(
+    'npx', 'wp-babel-makepot',
+    "#{PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER}/{apps/studio/src,apps/cli,tools/common}/**/*.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}",
+    '--ignore', "#{PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER}/apps/cli/node_modules/**/*,**/*.d.ts",
+    '--base', PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER,
+    '--dir', pot_dir,
+    '--output', POT_FILE_PATH
+  )
+
+  # Commit and push the .pot file so the wpcom cron can import it to GlotPress
+  git_add(path: [POT_FILE_PATH])
+  git_commit(
+    path: [POT_FILE_PATH],
+    message: "[skip ci] Code freeze: Update translatable strings for #{version}",
+    allow_nothing_to_commit: true
+  )
+
+  # Generate draft release notes from PRs merged since the last published release
+  update_release_notes_draft(version: version)
+  git_add(path: ['RELEASE-NOTES.txt'])
+  git_commit(
+    path: ['RELEASE-NOTES.txt'],
+    message: "[skip ci] Code freeze: Add draft release notes for #{version}",
+    allow_nothing_to_commit: true
+  )
+
+  push_to_git_remote(set_upstream: true)
+
+  # Create backmerge PR from the release branch to MAIN_BRANCH so that the strings bundle is uploaded to GlotPress
+  create_backmerge_pr(source_branch: branch_name, github_username: github_username)
+
+  # Create the first beta (bumps version, commits, pushes, tags, triggers build)
+  new_beta_release(version: version, skip_confirm: skip_confirm)
+
+  UI.success("Code freeze complete! Created #{branch_name} with first beta")
+end
+
+# Create a new beta release on the current release branch.
+#
+# - Determines the next beta number automatically from package.json
+# - Bumps the version, commits, tags, and triggers a release build
+#
+# @param version [String] The base release version (e.g., '1.7.4')
+# @param skip_confirm [Boolean] Skip interactive confirmation prompts (default: false)
+#
+lane :new_beta_release do |version:, skip_confirm: false|
+  current_version = read_package_json_version
+  current_beta = current_version[/beta(\d+)$/, 1].to_i
+
+  # Guard against version mismatch (e.g. package.json has 1.7.4-beta3 but version param is 1.8.0)
+  # Skip the check when current_beta is 0, meaning this is the first beta (called from code_freeze before any bump).
+  if current_beta.positive?
+    base_version = current_version.sub(/-beta\d+$/, '')
+    UI.user_error!("Version mismatch: package.json has #{current_version} but expected #{version}-betaN") unless base_version == version
+  end
+
+  new_version = "#{version}-beta#{current_beta + 1}"
+
+  UI.important <<~PROMPT
+    Creating new beta release #{new_version}. This will:
+    - Bump version to #{new_version}
+    - Trigger a release build for all platforms (macOS, Windows), which will then:
+      - Upload build artifacts to the Apps CDN
+      - Tag v#{new_version}
+      - Notify #dotcom-studio on Slack
+  PROMPT
+  next unless skip_confirm || UI.confirm('Continue?')
+
+  bump_version_commit_and_push(version: new_version)
+
+  trigger_release_build(version: new_version)
+
+  UI.success("New beta release created: v#{new_version}")
+end
+
+# Finalize the release by removing the beta suffix and triggering the final build.
+#
+# - Bumps version to the final release number (removes beta suffix)
+# - Triggers a release build in Buildkite
+# - The build creates a draft GitHub release (with notes and download links) after uploading to CDN
+# - The draft is published later by the {publish_release} lane
+#
+# @param version [String] The final version number (e.g., '1.7.4')
+# @param skip_confirm [Boolean] Skip interactive confirmation prompts (default: false)
+#
+lane :finalize_release do |version:, skip_confirm: false|
+  UI.important <<~PROMPT
+    Finalizing release #{version}. This will:
+    - Bump version to #{version} (remove beta suffix)
+    - Trigger a release build for all platforms (macOS, Windows), which will then:
+      - Upload build artifacts to the Apps CDN
+      - Create a draft GitHub release with release notes and download links
+      - Notify #dotcom-studio on Slack
+  PROMPT
+  next unless skip_confirm || UI.confirm('Continue?')
+
+  bump_version_commit_and_push(version: version)
+
+  trigger_release_build(version: version)
+
+  UI.success("Release finalized: v#{version} (build triggered)")
+end
+
+# Publish the release by making the draft GitHub release public and creating a backmerge PR.
+#
+# - Publishes the draft GitHub release created by {distribute_release_build}
+# - Creates a backmerge PR from the release branch to trunk (with intermediate branch for conflicts)
+#
+# @param version [String] The version to publish (e.g., '1.7.4')
+# @param skip_confirm [Boolean] Skip interactive confirmation prompts (default: false)
+#
+lane :publish_release do |version:, skip_confirm: false, github_username: nil|
+  release_branch = "release/#{version}"
+
+  UI.important <<~PROMPT
+    Publishing release #{version}. This will:
+    - Publish the draft GitHub release for v#{version}
+    - Create a backmerge PR from `#{release_branch}` into `#{MAIN_BRANCH}`
+    - Delete the `#{release_branch}` branch after creating the backmerge PR
+  PROMPT
+  next unless skip_confirm || UI.confirm('Continue?')
+
+  # Publish the draft GitHub release
+  publish_github_release(
+    repository: GITHUB_REPO,
+    name: "v#{version}"
+  )
+
+  # Create backmerge PR with intermediate branch to handle conflicts
+  create_backmerge_pr(source_branch: release_branch, github_username: github_username)
+
+  Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.delete_remote_branch_if_exists!(release_branch)
+  Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.checkout_and_pull(MAIN_BRANCH)
+  Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.delete_local_branch_if_exists!(release_branch)
+
+  UI.success("Release v#{version} published!")
+end
+
+# Create a hotfix release branch from the latest release tag.
+#
+# - Finds the latest non-beta release tag
+# - Creates a `release/<version>` branch from that tag
+# - Bumps the version number
+#
+# @param version [String] The hotfix version number (e.g., '1.7.5')
+# @param skip_confirm [Boolean] Skip interactive confirmation prompts (default: false)
+#
+lane :new_hotfix_release do |version:, skip_confirm: false|
+  branch_name = "release/#{version}"
+
+  # Extract the major.minor version to find the previous release tag
+  match_data = version.match(/^(\d+\.\d+)/)
+  UI.user_error!("Invalid version '#{version}'. Expected format like '1.7.5' so that a 'major.minor' (e.g., '1.7') can be extracted.") if match_data.nil?
+  short_version = match_data[1]
+  previous_tag = find_previous_tag(pattern: "v#{short_version}.*")
+
+  # Determine the base for the hotfix branch: either a tag or a release branch
+  previous_release_branch = "release/#{short_version}"
+  base_ref = if previous_tag && !previous_tag.include?('beta')
+               previous_tag
+             elsif Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.branch_exists_on_remote?(branch_name: previous_release_branch)
+               UI.message("Tag for version '#{short_version}' not found. Using release branch '#{previous_release_branch}' as the base for the hotfix.")
+               previous_release_branch
+             else
+               UI.user_error!("Neither a tag for version '#{short_version}' nor branch '#{previous_release_branch}' exists on the remote. A hotfix branch cannot be created.")
+             end
+
+  UI.important <<~PROMPT
+    Creating hotfix release #{version}. This will:
+    - Create a new `#{branch_name}` branch from #{base_ref}
+    - Bump version to #{version}
+  PROMPT
+  next unless skip_confirm || UI.confirm('Continue?')
+
+  Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.create_branch(branch_name, from: base_ref)
+
+  bump_version_commit_and_push(version: version, set_upstream: true)
+
+  UI.success("Hotfix branch #{branch_name} created from #{base_ref}")
+end
+
+# Download Studio UI translations from GlotPress (Jed 1.x JSON) into tools/common/translations/.
+# Discovers locales from existing files in TRANSLATIONS_DIR (e.g. studio-es.jed.json → "es").
+#
+lane :fetch_glotpress_translations do
+  files = Dir.glob(File.join(TRANSLATIONS_DIR, 'studio-*.jed.json'))
+  locales = files.map { |f| File.basename(f, '.jed.json').delete_prefix('studio-') }.sort
+  UI.user_error!('No existing translation files found in translations directory') if locales.empty?
+
+  UI.message("Downloading translations for #{locales.length} locales from GlotPress...")
+
+  locales.each do |locale|
+    url = URI("#{GLOTPRESS_PROJECT_URL}/#{locale}/default/export-translations/?format=jed1x")
+    response = Net::HTTP.get_response(url)
+    UI.user_error!("Failed to download translations for '#{locale}': HTTP #{response.code}") unless response.is_a?(Net::HTTPSuccess)
+
+    output_path = File.join(TRANSLATIONS_DIR, "studio-#{locale}.jed.json")
+    File.write(output_path, response.body)
+    UI.message("  Downloaded #{locale}")
+  end
+
+  UI.success("Downloaded translations for #{locales.length} locales")
+end
+
+# Download the latest translations and create a PR to merge them into the release branch.
+#
+# @param skip_confirm [Boolean] Skip interactive confirmation prompts (default: false)
+#
+lane :download_translations do |skip_confirm: false, github_username: nil|
+  current_branch = Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.current_git_branch
+
+  UI.important <<~PROMPT
+    Downloading translations. This will:
+    - Download latest translations from GlotPress
+    - Create a PR to merge them into `#{current_branch}`
+  PROMPT
+  next unless skip_confirm || UI.confirm('Continue?')
+
+  fetch_glotpress_translations
+
+  translations_branch = 'update/latest-translations'
+  Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.delete_local_branch_if_exists!(translations_branch)
+  Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.create_branch(translations_branch)
+
+  git_add(path: ['.'])
+  result = git_commit(
+    path: ['.'],
+    message: 'Update translations',
+    allow_nothing_to_commit: true
+  )
+
+  if result.nil?
+    Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.checkout_and_pull(current_branch)
+    Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.delete_local_branch_if_exists!(translations_branch)
+    UI.important('No translation changes detected.')
+
+    if is_ci?
+      buildkite_annotate(
+        context: 'download-translations',
+        style: 'info',
+        message: 'No translation changes detected. No PR was created.'
+      )
+    end
+    next
+  end
+
+  Fastlane::Helper::GitHelper.delete_remote_branch_if_exists!(translations_branch)
+  push_to_git_remote(set_upstream: true, tags: false)
+
+  pr_url = create_pull_request(
+    repo: GITHUB_REPO,
+    title: 'Update translations',
+    body: 'Merges the latest translations from GlotPress.',
+    labels: 'Releases',
+    base: current_branch,
+    head: translations_branch,
+    reviewers: Array(github_username)
+  )
+
+  if is_ci? && pr_url
+    buildkite_annotate(
+      context: 'download-translations',
+      style: 'info',
+      message: "Translations Pull Request: #{pr_url}"
+    )
+  end
+end
+
+########################################################################
+# Build and Distribution Helper Methods
+########################################################################
+
 def get_windows_update_release_sha(arch: 'x64')
   releases_file_path = File.join(BUILDS_FOLDER, 'make', 'squirrel.windows', arch, 'RELEASES')
 
   begin
     releases_content = File.read(releases_file_path)
-  rescue => error
+  rescue StandardError
     UI.user_error!("Couldn't read RELEASES file of Windows build at #{releases_file_path}. Please ensure that the file compute the release SHA1.")
   end
 
   match_data = releases_content.match(/([a-zA-Z\d]{40})\s(.*\.nupkg)\s(\d+)/)
-  UI.user_error!("Could not parse Windows RELEASES file format") unless match_data
+  UI.user_error!('Could not parse Windows RELEASES file format') unless match_data
 
-  sha1, filename, size = match_data.captures
+  sha1, = match_data.captures
   sha1
 end
 
@@ -127,15 +463,14 @@ def distribute_builds(
   build_number: get_required_env('BUILDKITE_BUILD_NUMBER'),
   release_tag: nil
 )
-
   build_type = if release_tag.nil?
-    'Nightly'
-  elsif release_tag.downcase.include?('beta')
-    'Beta'
-  else
-    'Production'
-  end
-  version = release_tag.nil? ? "v#{PACKAGE_VERSION}" : release_tag
+                 'Nightly'
+               elsif release_tag.downcase.include?('beta')
+                 'Beta'
+               else
+                 'Production'
+               end
+  version = release_tag.nil? ? "v#{read_package_json_version}" : release_tag
   appx_version = "#{version[/\d+\.\d+\.\d+/]}.0"
   release_notes = release_tag.nil? ? "Development build #{version}-#{build_number}" : "Release #{release_tag}"
 
@@ -157,7 +492,7 @@ def distribute_builds(
       sha: commit_hash
     },
     windows_update: {
-      binary_path: File.join(BUILDS_FOLDER, 'make', 'squirrel.windows', 'x64', "studio-update.nupkg"),
+      binary_path: File.join(BUILDS_FOLDER, 'make', 'squirrel.windows', 'x64', 'studio-update.nupkg'),
       name: 'Windows - x64 Update',
       platform: 'Windows - x64',
       arch: 'x64',
@@ -165,7 +500,7 @@ def distribute_builds(
       sha: get_windows_update_release_sha(arch: 'x64')
     },
     windows_arm64_update: {
-      binary_path: File.join(BUILDS_FOLDER, 'make', 'squirrel.windows', 'arm64', "studio-update.nupkg"),
+      binary_path: File.join(BUILDS_FOLDER, 'make', 'squirrel.windows', 'arm64', 'studio-update.nupkg'),
       name: 'Windows - ARM64 Update',
       platform: 'Windows - ARM64',
       arch: 'arm64',
@@ -187,7 +522,7 @@ def distribute_builds(
       name: 'Mac Apple Silicon (DMG)',
       platform: 'Mac - Silicon',
       arch: 'arm64',
-      install_type: 'Full Install',
+      install_type: 'Full Install'
     },
     windows: {
       binary_path: File.join(BUILDS_FOLDER, 'make', 'squirrel.windows', 'x64', 'studio-setup.exe'),
@@ -196,7 +531,7 @@ def distribute_builds(
       arch: 'x64',
       install_type: 'Full Install'
     },
-	  windows_arm64: {
+    windows_arm64: {
       binary_path: File.join(BUILDS_FOLDER, 'make', 'squirrel.windows', 'arm64', 'studio-setup.exe'),
       name: 'Windows - ARM64',
       platform: 'Windows - ARM64',
@@ -208,15 +543,15 @@ def distribute_builds(
       name: 'Windows - x64 (Unsigned Appx)',
       platform: 'Microsoft Store - x64',
       arch: 'x64',
-      install_type: 'Full Install',
+      install_type: 'Full Install'
     },
     windows_arm64_appx_unsigned: {
       binary_path: File.join(BUILDS_FOLDER, 'Studio-appx-arm64-unsigned', "Studio #{appx_version} unsigned.appx"),
       name: 'Windows - ARM64 (Unsigned Appx)',
       platform: 'Microsoft Store - ARM64',
       arch: 'arm64',
-      install_type: 'Full Install',
-    },
+      install_type: 'Full Install'
+    }
   }
 
   builds_to_upload = release_tag.nil? ? update_builds : { **update_builds, **full_install_builds }
@@ -270,11 +605,11 @@ def create_versioned_file(original_file_path:, version:, arch:)
   end
   base_name = File.basename(original_filename, extension)
 
-  if base_name.match(/-#{arch}/i)
-    versioned_filename = "#{base_name}-#{version}#{extension}"
-  else
-    versioned_filename = "#{base_name}-#{arch}-#{version}#{extension}"
-  end
+  versioned_filename = if base_name.match(/-#{arch}/i)
+                         "#{base_name}-#{version}#{extension}"
+                       else
+                         "#{base_name}-#{arch}-#{version}#{extension}"
+                       end
 
   versioned_file_path = File.join(File.dirname(original_file_path), versioned_filename)
   UI.message("Copying #{original_file_path} to #{versioned_file_path}")
@@ -283,19 +618,17 @@ def create_versioned_file(original_file_path:, version:, arch:)
 end
 
 # Helper method to upload a file to Apps CDN with dry run support
-def upload_file_to_apps_cdn(site_id:, product:, file_path:, platform:, arch:, build_type:, install_type: 'Full Install', visibility:, version:, build_number:, release_notes:, sha: nil, error_on_duplicate:, dry_run: DRY_RUN)
+def upload_file_to_apps_cdn(site_id:, product:, file_path:, platform:, arch:, build_type:, visibility:, version:, build_number:, release_notes:, error_on_duplicate:, install_type: 'Full Install', sha: nil, dry_run: DRY_RUN)
   versioned_file_path = create_versioned_file(original_file_path: file_path, version:, arch:)
 
-  if !File.exist?(versioned_file_path)
-    UI.user_error!("File #{versioned_file_path} does not exist")
-  end
+  UI.user_error!("File #{versioned_file_path} does not exist") unless File.exist?(versioned_file_path)
 
   if dry_run
     media_url = "https://appscdn.wordpress.com/downloads/wordpress-com-studio/#{platform}/#{version}/#{build_number}"
-	# Check if the file exists
-    UI.message("[DRY RUN] Upload step skipped due to dry run mode.")
+    # Check if the file exists
+    UI.message('[DRY RUN] Upload step skipped due to dry run mode.')
     UI.message("           File exists at: #{versioned_file_path}")
-    UI.message("           file size: #{File.size(versioned_file_path)/1024/1024} MB")
+    UI.message("           file size: #{File.size(versioned_file_path) / 1024 / 1024} MB")
     UI.message("           for platform: #{platform}")
     UI.message("           media url: #{media_url}")
     UI.message("           build type: #{build_type}")
@@ -329,8 +662,176 @@ def upload_file_to_apps_cdn(site_id:, product:, file_path:, platform:, arch:, bu
     error_on_duplicate:
   )
 
-  UI.message("--------------------------------")
+  UI.message('--------------------------------')
   UI.message("✅ Uploaded file: #{versioned_file_path} to #{result[:media_url]}")
 
   result
 end
+
+########################################################################
+# Release Management Helper Methods
+########################################################################
+
+# Bump version in package.json, commit, and push.
+# Used by new_beta_release, finalize_release, and new_hotfix_release.
+def bump_version_commit_and_push(version:, set_upstream: false)
+  set_package_json_version(version: version)
+  git_add(path: ['apps/studio/package.json', 'package-lock.json'])
+  git_commit(
+    path: ['apps/studio/package.json', 'package-lock.json'],
+    message: "[skip ci] Bump version to #{version}"
+  )
+  push_to_git_remote(set_upstream: set_upstream)
+end
+
+# Read the current version from package.json
+def read_package_json_version
+  JSON.parse(File.read(PACKAGE_JSON_PATH))['version']
+end
+
+# Set the version in apps/studio/package.json (and update root package-lock.json via npm workspaces)
+def set_package_json_version(version:)
+  sh('npm', 'version', version, '--no-git-tag-version', '-w', 'studio-app', '--prefix', PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER)
+end
+
+# Extract release notes for a specific version from RELEASE-NOTES.txt
+def extract_release_notes(version:)
+  notes_path = File.join(PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER, 'RELEASE-NOTES.txt')
+  content = File.read(notes_path)
+
+  escaped = Regexp.escape(version)
+  match = content.match(/^#{escaped}\n=+\n(.*?)(?=^\d+\.\d+\S*\n=+|\z)/m)
+
+  if match
+    match[1].strip
+  else
+    UI.important("No release notes found for #{version} in RELEASE-NOTES.txt")
+    "Release #{version}"
+  end
+end
+
+# Generate a draft release notes section from merged PRs and prepend it to RELEASE-NOTES.txt.
+# Uses GitHub's generate-notes API to list PRs since the last published release.
+def update_release_notes_draft(version:)
+  # Find the latest stable (non-beta) release tag reachable from HEAD.
+  previous_tag = find_previous_tag(pattern: 'v*', exclude: '*beta*')
+
+  changelog = get_prs_between_tags(
+    repository: GITHUB_REPO,
+    tag_name: "v#{version}",
+    previous_tag: previous_tag,
+    target_commitish: 'HEAD'
+  )
+
+  # Convert "* Title by @user in https://github.com/Org/Repo/pull/123" to "* Title #123"
+  lines = changelog.lines.reject { |l| l.start_with?('##') || l.strip.empty? }
+  formatted = lines.map do |line|
+    line.sub(%r{ by @\S+ in https://github\.com/\S+/pull/(\d+)}, ' #\1')
+  end.join.strip
+
+  if formatted.empty?
+    UI.important('No PRs found for draft release notes — skipping RELEASE-NOTES.txt update')
+    return
+  end
+
+  notes_path = File.join(PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER, 'RELEASE-NOTES.txt')
+  content = File.read(notes_path)
+
+  new_section = "#{version}\n=====\n#{formatted}\n"
+
+  # Insert the new version section after the "Unreleased" header
+  unless content.sub!(/^(Unreleased\n=+\n)\n*/, "\\1\n#{new_section}\n")
+    UI.user_error!("Could not find 'Unreleased' header in RELEASE-NOTES.txt. Please ensure the file has an 'Unreleased' section.")
+  end
+  File.write(notes_path, content)
+
+  UI.success("Draft release notes for #{version} added to RELEASE-NOTES.txt")
+end
+
+# Create a backmerge PR from the given source branch into the main branch
+# and post a Buildkite annotation with links to the created PRs.
+def create_backmerge_pr(source_branch:, github_username: nil)
+  created_prs = create_release_backmerge_pull_request(
+    repository: GITHUB_REPO,
+    source_branch: source_branch,
+    default_branch: MAIN_BRANCH,
+    labels: ['Releases'],
+    reviewers: Array(github_username)
+  )
+
+  return unless is_ci? && created_prs && !created_prs.empty?
+
+  buildkite_annotate(
+    context: 'backmerge-prs',
+    style: 'info',
+    message: "Backmerge Pull Requests:\n#{created_prs.map { |pr| "* #{pr}\n" }.join}"
+  )
+end
+
+# Create a draft GitHub release with release notes and download links.
+# Called from distribute_release_build after a successful final (non-beta) build.
+def create_draft_github_release(version:, release_tag:, builds:)
+  notes = extract_release_notes(version: version)
+
+  # Format download links from CDN URLs
+  download_link_keys = %i[x64_dmg arm64_dmg windows windows_arm64]
+  links = download_link_keys.filter_map do |key|
+    build = builds[key]
+    next unless build&.dig(:cdn_url)
+
+    label = build[:name].sub(' - ', ' \u2013 ') # Use en-dash like existing releases
+    "[#{label}](#{build[:cdn_url]})"
+  end
+
+  body = notes
+  unless links.empty?
+    body += "\n\n---\nDownload Studio #{version}: #{links.join(', ')}\n\n" \
+            'The latest version is always available on the [WordPress Studio](https://developer.wordpress.com/studio/) site.'
+  end
+
+  release_notes_path = File.join(PROJECT_ROOT_FOLDER, 'fastlane', 'github_release_notes.txt')
+  File.write(release_notes_path, body)
+
+  base_version = version.sub(/-beta\d+$/, '')
+  create_github_release(
+    repository: GITHUB_REPO,
+    version: release_tag,
+    target: "release/#{base_version}",
+    release_notes_file_path: release_notes_path,
+    release_assets: [],
+    prerelease: false,
+    is_draft: true
+  )
+
+  UI.success("Created draft GitHub release #{release_tag} with download links")
+end
+
+# Trigger a release build in Buildkite for the given version.
+#
+# Uses `buildkite_add_trigger_step` on CI (to create a separate build with proper Git mirroring)
+# and `buildkite_trigger_build` when running locally.
+def trigger_release_build(version:)
+  base_version = version.sub(/-beta\d+$/, '')
+  branch = "release/#{base_version}"
+
+  environment = {
+    'RELEASE_VERSION' => base_version
+  }
+
+  common_args = {
+    pipeline_file: 'release-build-and-distribute.yml',
+    branch: branch,
+    message: "Release Build (v#{version})",
+    environment: environment
+  }
+
+  if is_ci?
+    buildkite_add_trigger_step(**common_args)
+  else
+    buildkite_trigger_build(
+      buildkite_organization: BUILDKITE_ORG,
+      buildkite_pipeline: BUILDKITE_PIPELINE,
+      **common_args
+    )
+  end
+end
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index da105172d0..5396f32a9a 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@
 		"test:watch": "vitest",
 		"e2e": "npx playwright install && npx playwright test",
 		"test:metrics": "npx playwright test --config=./tools/metrics/playwright.metrics.config.ts",
-		"make-pot": "node ./scripts/make-pot.mjs",
 		"download-language-packs": "ts-node ./scripts/download-language-packs.ts"
 	},
 	"devDependencies": {
diff --git a/scripts/confirm-tag-matches-version.mjs b/scripts/confirm-tag-matches-version.mjs
deleted file mode 100644
index 8550c8dc96..0000000000
--- a/scripts/confirm-tag-matches-version.mjs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,26 +0,0 @@
-// Fails (thus halting the build) if the git tag doesn't match the version in package.json.
-// This safety measure is part of the release build process.
-
-import packageJson from '../apps/studio/package.json' with { type: 'json' };
-
-const tagTriggeringBuild = process.env.BUILDKITE_TAG;
-
-if ( ! tagTriggeringBuild ) {
-	// Are you trying to dev on the build scripts outside of CI?
-	// You will need to define the BUILDKITE_TAG environment variable before
-	// running this script. e.g.
-	// BUILDKITE_TAG=v1.2.3 node ./scripts/confirm-tag-matches-version.mjs
-	throw new Error( 'Build was not triggered by a new tag' );
-}
-
-if ( tagTriggeringBuild === packageJson.version ) {
-	throw new Error( 'The git tag used to trigger a release build must start with "v"' );
-}
-
-if ( tagTriggeringBuild !== 'v' + packageJson.version ) {
-	throw new Error(
-		`Tag which triggered the build (${ tagTriggeringBuild }) does not match version in package.json (${ packageJson.version })`
-	);
-}
-
-process.exit( 0 );
diff --git a/scripts/download-available-site-translations.mjs b/scripts/download-available-site-translations.mjs
index 0de9b0c144..05f20e3863 100644
--- a/scripts/download-available-site-translations.mjs
+++ b/scripts/download-available-site-translations.mjs
@@ -16,11 +16,7 @@ const jsonFilePath = path.join(
 	'latest',
 	'available-site-translations.json'
 );
-try {
-	fs.mkdirSync( path.dirname( jsonFilePath ) );
-} catch ( err ) {
-	if ( err.code !== 'EEXIST' ) throw err;
-}
+fs.mkdirSync( path.dirname( jsonFilePath ), { recursive: true } );
 const jsonFile = fs.createWriteStream( jsonFilePath );
 
 await new Promise( ( resolve, reject ) => {
diff --git a/scripts/make-pot.mjs b/scripts/make-pot.mjs
deleted file mode 100755
index 079c784765..0000000000
--- a/scripts/make-pot.mjs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,53 +0,0 @@
-import { execSync } from 'child_process';
-import { dirname, join } from 'path';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'url';
-
-const __filename = fileURLToPath( import.meta.url );
-const __dirname = dirname( __filename );
-const projectRoot = dirname( __dirname );
-
-const POT_DIR = join( projectRoot, 'apps', 'studio', 'out', 'pots' );
-const POT_FILE = join( POT_DIR, 'bundle-strings.pot' );
-const IMPORT_PAGE = 'https://translate.wordpress.com/projects/studio/import-originals/';
-
-function executeCommand( command, description ) {
-	try {
-		console.log( `🔄 ${ description }` );
-		execSync( command, { stdio: 'inherit', cwd: projectRoot } );
-		return true;
-	} catch ( error ) {
-		console.error( `❌ Error: ${ description } failed` );
-		console.error( error.message );
-		return false;
-	}
-}
-
-console.log( '✨ Starting pot files generation...\n' );
-
-const commands = [
-	{
-		command: 'rm -rf ./apps/studio/out/pots',
-		description: 'Removing existing pot files',
-	},
-	{
-		command:
-			'npx wp-babel-makepot "{apps/studio/src,apps/cli,tools/common}/**/*.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}" --ignore "apps/cli/node_modules/**/*,**/*.d.ts" --base "." --dir "./apps/studio/out/pots" --output "./apps/studio/out/pots/bundle-strings.pot"',
-		description: 'Generating pot file with wp-babel-makepot',
-	},
-	{
-		command: `open -R "${ POT_FILE }"`,
-		description: `Revealing pot file in Finder: ${ POT_FILE }`,
-	},
-	{
-		command: `open "${ IMPORT_PAGE }"`,
-		description: `Opening the translation import page ${ IMPORT_PAGE } in the browser`,
-	},
-];
-
-for ( const { command, description } of commands ) {
-	if ( ! executeCommand( command, description ) ) {
-		process.exit( 1 );
-	}
-}
-
-console.log( '\n✅ Success! Now drag and drop the "bundle-strings.pot" file into GlotPress.' );